New exemptions from seismic strengthening requirements show the policy is inconsistent
and unnecessary, says BusinessNZ. The Government has announced it will exempt farm
buildings from the requirement for owners of buildings to upgrade them to national ... More >>

The Labour party appears to think that employers are to blame for skills shortages,
says BusinessNZ. In Labour’s immigration policy released on the weekend, Immigration
NZ would be given the power to demand that employers train New Zealanders before ... More >>

Labour’s immigration policy would create two different levels of minimum wage,
says BusinessNZ. The policy released on the weekend says low-paid migrants push wages
down for New Zealanders, and a Labour government would make it compulsory for businesses ... More >>

Although still in positive territory, a second consecutive slowdown in expansion
meant the manufacturing sector was at similar levels last seen over a year ago, according
to the latest BNZ - BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI). More >>

The needs of exporters must be factored in to any additional OCR rises this year,
says BusinessNZ. This morning the Reserve Bank lifted the official cash rate to 3.25%
and intimated more rises would follow. More >>

Business Growth Agenda scoring runs, could be addressing more complex problems Today’s
Business Growth Agenda update shows progress being made towards a stronger economy,
says BusinessNZ. Focusing on what helps business grow jobs and well-being for the ... More >>

More sophisticated approach than carbon tax needed The business community is disappointed
by the Green Party carbon tax policy, saying it would not be good for communities,
bringing potential loss of jobs and industry. The carbon tax policy appears to ignore ... More >>

BusinessNZ has expressed caution about proposed changes to monetary policy outlined
by Labour today. “Exporters will appreciate Labour’s attempt to come up with
a policy that assists in bringing the dollar down to more sustainable levels, however ... More >>

New Zealand’s productivity paradox shows more work is needed to overcome our key
disadvantages, says BusinessNZ. New research by the Productivity Commission reveals
the paradox that New Zealand’s reasonably robust policy settings should mean productivity ... More >>

BusinessNZ says today’s announcement by the Government that designated blocks of
land and sea are being made available to international companies for petroleum exploration
is a welcome signal for investment in our economy. More >>

More focus on key markets will benefit New Zealand’s export prospects, says BusinessNZ.
BusinessNZ Chief Executive Phil O’Reilly says additional funding announced today
for NZTE’s work in China, South America and the Middle East will help more New ... More >>

New Zealand and Japan would benefit from closer economic relations, says the organiser
of a high level business meeting in Wellington today. BusinessNZ hosted today’s
gathering of leading Japanese and New Zealand companies, focusing on economic growth ... More >>

While continuing to expand, activity in the services sector lost some impetus during
February, according to the BNZ - BusinessNZ Performance of Services Index (PSI).
The PSI for February was 53.1. This was down 4.7 points from January, and similar ... More >>

Prudent advance signalling will have led to today’s OCR change being factored in
by markets, easing concerns of a strengthened dollar, says BusinessNZ. Chief Executive
Phil O’Reilly says changes in interest rates need to take into account the unique ... More >>